Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Illinois' Zavier Zens Showcases College Readiness in Newcomer Highlights

The final edition of Illinois’ summer classic, the “Newcomer First Look," was released on Thursday, starring freshman wing Zavier Zens. As always, the usual disclaimer applies: These are highlights – all of which have come months before the Illini season opener.

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Watch: Bret Bielema's wholesale defensive overhaul at Illinois | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22

Watch: Caden Fagan’s move to tight end | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 21

Ranking Every Game on Illinois Basketball's 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule

On Friday, Illinois released its full 2026-27 non-conference slate, which wound up filling out the maximum number of allotted contests (12). The Illini took full advantage of the NCAA allowing an extra game for each school next season: including Big Ten play, the Illini will have 32 regular-season outings.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 20

Illinois Basketball Offers Nation's No. 1 2028 Power Forward Bentley Lusakueno

At this point, we know the drill when it comes to Illinois basketball's recruiting : coach Brad Underwood and his staff prize positional size and shooting.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 19

Illinois' Ca'Lil Valentine Makes Doak Walker Watch List – Is 1,000 Yards Within Reach?

On Tuesday, the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list was released, and Illinois junior running back Ca’Lil Valentine was among the names included. As we've already established at Illinois on SI, we aren’t the biggest backers of preseason lists, but they do offer a general idea of a player's potential.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 12

Breaking Down Stefan Vaaks' and Ethan Brown's Illinois Basketball Summer Highlights

As Illinois continues to release its 2026 newcomer highlights, we get a glimpse – although it is a look at the carefully picked best plays – into the performance of new players in Champaign.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 12

Should Illinois Basketball Add a Fifth-Year Player for 2026-27?

As of mid-August, Illinois has a roster count of 14 players. Back in late June, Illini coach Brad Underwood confirmed that the Illini have “a roster [spot] open if we need it." As a projected national title contender, Illinois doesn’t exactly need to add another player.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 12

Who Will Earn Illinois Basketball's Final Rotation Spot in 2026-27?

In last season's Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four, only eight players ever saw the floor for Illinois. In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the number of Illini who saw more than five minutes of action in either contest – Illinois advanced to the Round of 32 – was seven.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 11

Can Lincoln Williams Make an Immediate Impact for Illinois Basketball in Year 1?

A late addition to Illinois’ 2026 high school recruiting class , Lincoln Williams wasn’t initially viewed as an instant-impact freshman. The rest of the

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 10

3 Reasons Illinois Moved Elite Safety Recruit Jacob Eberhart to Wide Receiver

If you needed your house painted, you wouldn't hire a plumber, would you? Then why, Illinois football fans might be asking themselves, would the Illini change the position of prized freshman Jacob Eberhart weeks before he had even had the chance to see the field in his first college game?The short answer: It's complicated.

Xavier Scott News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 9

Illinois Football's Xavier Scott Is Back – And He's Ready for Any Role in 2026

Despite returning seven out of 11 defensive starters from 2024 to 2025, Illinois’ defense, which many expected to be a dominant force in 2025, took a step in the wrong direction last season.Early on, the stars – Gabe Jacas, Xavier Scott, Dylan Rosiek and Matthew Bailey – were shining.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 9

The Two Illinois Players Who Must Step Up If David Mirkovic Misses Time

There is cautious optimism in Champaign regarding David Mirkovic’s injury status after last week’s encouraging update from Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68.

Samari Collier News / HBCUs on SI / August 9

Samari Collier Commits to DeSean Jackson and Delaware State After NCAA Eligibility TRO

Earlier this spring, DeSean Jackson said Delaware State's roster was about 80 percent set. Now, he may have found the last piece in Samari Collier, who joins the team with a temporary restraining order.

College Football News / The Spun / July 29

Paul Finebaum Responds To Bret Bielema Accusing SEC Of Living In Past

Bret Bielema caused quite the stir with yesterday's comments at Big Ten Media Days where the Fighting Illini coach accused the Big Ten's rival conference of living in the past.

Bret Bielema News / College Sports Only / July 29

Illinois Head Coach Brett Bielema Takes Shot At SEC

The beef between the Big Ten & SEC keeps getting juicier. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema criticized the SEC at Big Ten Media Days, claiming the conference

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Total Pro Sports / June 5

What Is Keaton Wagler’s GPA? A Look at the Illinois Guard’s Academic Record

They do not talk about college basketball enough in the pro league circle, which should not be the case for Keaton Wagler. Moving closer to the 2026 NBA

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / June 2

Illinois Softball All-American Named Head Coach of Program

A former Fighting Illini All-American is back in a new role with the program. University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced the hiring of Jenna Hall as the third head coach in program history on Tuesday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27

Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.

Brad Underwood News / Yardbarker / May 14

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.

Illinois' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032

UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era

NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 7

4 Candidates Illinois Softball Should Consider for Head Coach

The Illinois Fighting Illini parted ways with softball head coach Tyra Perry on Monday. Now, a national search for a new leader by Chief Sports Officer

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 4

Illinois Softball Parts Ways with Head Coach Tyra Perry

The University of Illinois announced on Monday that it was parting ways with the softball program's head coach, Tyra Perry. Perry spent 11 years at the helm of the Fighting Illini and signed a contract in 2023 that extended her through the 2027 season.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / April 17

Illinois Pushing for $1.5 Million Guard in College Basketball Transfer Portal

The Illinois Fighting Illini fell just short of their first national championship appearance since the 2004-05 season. Entering this year's NCAA Tournament as the South Region's No.